Tour de France: Stage 18 preview
Stage 18 map, profile and Chris Boardman video preview
Blagnac – Brive-la-Gaillarde
Distance: 222.5km
Highest point: 337m
Category: Rolling
A baroudeurs’ benefit?
Although classed as a flat stage, the profile and local knowledge suggests it will be anything but. The first third of the day is flat but the middle section is distinctly lumpy. Most of the peloton will have a mark next to this stage as it offers many riders their best and perhaps only chance of a win before Paris. That being the case, the main break of the day could be very large indeed, perhaps with a dozen or more riders and potentially enough leg power to go all the way. With the Olympic road race little more than a week away, it will be interesting to see if the sprinters respond on such a long stage.
Jérémy Roy: "This long stage will be very tiring and it’s also the last chance to shine for many riders. Do I think a break could succeed? Yes, I’m 99 percent sure. The GC leaders must keep their strength for the next day’s time trial and the teams will be tired."
Maps and profiles courtesy of ASO
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/j0riqebpsw1715769462.png)
Thank you for reading 5 articles in the past 30 days*
Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read any 5 articles for free in each 30-day period, this automatically resets
After your trial you will be billed £4.99 $7.99 €5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Or sign up for one year for just £49 $79 €59
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/j0riqebpsw1715769462.png)
Join now for unlimited access
Try your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Most Popular
Latest on Cyclingnews
-
‘I can see that winning is possible’ – Grace Brown chases Australia’s first Olympic Games women’s time trial medal
‘I’m aiming for that gold medal, and if I fall short and land on the podium, I’m still going to be really happy’ -
Volta a Portugal: German Tivani wins stage 2
Stüssi keeps overall lead -
'Whatever the colour of an Olympic medal, it's worth gold' - Elisa Longo Borghini hopes for more Olympic medals
Italian hoping Lidl-Trek teammate Ellen van Dijk can win gold in Saturday's time trial -
Get the drift: Olympic mountain bike racers worry about gravel on man-made Paris course
Pieterse, Pidcock, Richards and Schurter weigh in on the man-made Elancourt Hill course